Telescoping structural support device

ABSTRACT

A universal telescoping structural support device with a right side configuration, comprising a right female telescoping sleeve with a substantially rectangular shape that is open on one side; a right male telescoping sleeve with a substantially rectangular shape that is open on one side; wherein the male sleeve is configured to telescope in movement within and along a length of the female sleeve and wherein the female sleeve is configured to telescope in movement around and along a length of the male sleeve.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the priority date of non-provisional applicationSer. No. 16/427,824 filed on May 31, 2019, which is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a universal telescopingstructural support device, with left and right-side configurations, thatallows for a high level of precision, strength, and stability in itsinstallation purposes. Other telescoping devices in the art are based onmodels and shapes that are inherently weak, subject to deformation,and/or that have limitations on their size and strength duringinstallations and use. Further, other telescoping devices lack precisionand stability in their telescoping abilities and positioning, withlarger, less precise tolerances, such as +/−⅛ inch. Thus, there is aneed for a telescoping structural support device with a wide range ofapplicability and with superior support capabilities, strength, andprecision.

SUMMARY

A universal telescoping structural support device with a right sideconfiguration, comprising a right female telescoping sleeve with asubstantially rectangular shape that is open on one side; a right maletelescoping sleeve with a substantially rectangular shape that is openon one side; wherein the male sleeve is configured to telescope inmovement within and along a length of the female sleeve and wherein thefemale sleeve is configured to telescope in movement around and along alength of the male sleeve; wherein the rectangular shape of the rightfemale sleeve further comprises a first and second side width of equalmeasurements, a first side length, a second side length, and an innerside width that is perpendicular to the two widths; and wherein therectangular shape of the right male sleeve further comprises a firstside width, a second side width, a first side length, a second sidelength, and an inner side width that is perpendicular to the two sidewidths.

A universal telescoping structural support device with a left sideconfiguration, comprising a left female telescoping sleeve with asubstantially rectangular shape that is open on one side; a left maletelescoping sleeve with a substantially rectangular shape that is openon one side; wherein the male sleeve is configured to telescope inmovement within and along a length of the female sleeve and wherein thefemale sleeve is configured to telescope in movement around and along alength of the male sleeve; wherein the rectangular shape of the leftfemale sleeve further comprises a first and second side width of equalmeasurements, a first side length, a second side length, and an innerside width that is perpendicular to the two side widths; and wherein therectangular shape of the left male sleeve further comprises a first sidewidth, a second side width, a first side length, a second side length,and an inner side width that is perpendicular to the two side widths.

An installation for a universal telescoping structural support device,comprising a plurality of female telescopic sleeves that eachtelescopically couple to a male telescopic sleeve, wherein eachtelescopic sleeve is substantially rectangular in shape with onepartially open side; a plurality of base plate pieces each configured tocouple to a ground structure and one of the male telescopic sleeves,wherein each telescopic sleeve is substantially rectangular in shapewith one partially open side; wherein each of the plurality of baseplate pieces are coupled to the male telescopic sleeves via anadjustable bolt mechanism; wherein the female and male telescopicsleeves are configured in a vertical fashion and in a parallelarrangement to each other along the ground structure and correspondingbase plate pieces; wherein the rectangular shape of the female sleevefurther comprises a first and second side width of equal measurements, afirst side length, a second side length, and an inner side width that isperpendicular to the two widths; and wherein the rectangular shape ofthe male sleeve further comprises a first side width, a second sidewidth, a first side length, a second side length, and an inner sidewidth that is perpendicular to the two side widths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1(A) and (B) are perspective views of a female left hand sidedevice and a male left hand side device shown coupled together andseparately.

FIGS. 2(A) and (B) are perspective views of a female right hand sidedevice and a male right hand side device shown coupled together andseparately.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the male and female left hand sidedevices.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the male and female right hand sidedevices.

FIGS. 5(A) and (B) depict illustrations of the exemplary embodiment ofthe telescoping structural device installed in a curved arrangement forsupport of a large scale, wave-shaped television.

FIGS. 6(A) and (B) depict the front and back sides of the telescopicstructural support device that may be welded to a base support device insuch installation.

FIGS. 7(A), (B), (C), and (D) depict four views of the telescopingstructural device pre-fabricated with various shapes of holes formultiple mounting options.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustration of the exemplary embodiment of thetelescoping structural device installed along a straight wall structure.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C depict front, side, and perspective view of theexemplary embodiment of the telescoping structural device installed as arooftop support mount.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The detailed descriptions set forth below are intended as a descriptionof embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent theonly forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/orutilized. The descriptions set forth the structure and the sequence ofsteps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to beunderstood, however, that the same or equivalent structures and stepsmay be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended tobe encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 1A depict a female and male left hand side telescoping structuralsupport device 100 coupled together, each being substantiallyrectangular in shape with one partially open side. In this view, afemale left hand side telescoping structural support sleeve 101 (alsosee FIG. 1B) is shown positioned along a length of a male left hand sidetelescoping structural support sleeve 102, which may be situated withinthe female left hand side sleeve 101 (also see FIG. 1B). Both female andmale left hand side sleeves 101 and 102 can be telescopically positionedtogether, and adjusting or telescoping either female left hand sidesleeve 101 or male left hand side sleeve 102 along each other lengths toposition them as desired in their respective applications.

Similar to FIG. 1A, FIG. 2A depicts a female and male right hand sidetelescoping structural support sleeve 200, each being substantiallyrectangular in shape with one partially open side. A female right handside telescoping structural support sleeve 201 (also see FIG. 2B) isshown positioned along a length of a male right hand side telescopingstructural support sleeve 202, which may be situated within the femaleright hand side sleeve (also see FIG. 2B). Both female and male righthand side sleeves 201 and 202 can be telescopically positioned together,and adjusting or telescoping either female right hand side device 201 ormale right hand side device 202 along each other lengths to positionthem as desired when in use.

Telescoping structural support devices 100 and 200 allow for a widevariety of applications, such as with different wall shapes, expandablestructures, and the building of scalable walls and posts, including atthe desired length and/or size. The exemplary embodiment of devices 100and 200 may be comprised of 11GA cold rolled steel. However, othermaterials and sheet metal, such as aluminum, galvanized steel, andstainless steel may be used to make sleeves 100 and 200 withoutdeviating from the scope of the exemplary embodiment. Utilizing coldrolled steel allows for its properties relating to a fine finish,weldability, lightness, high tensile and yield strength, precisedimensions, and ability to maintain its form without shrinkage orchanging form or appearance.

FIG. 3 depicts cross-sectional views of the female and male left handside sleeves 101 and 102, both which may be shaped in a rectangular-likeform. Female left hand side sleeve 101 may comprise five sides, whichfurther comprise two widths 101 a, a first length 101 b, a second length101 c, and an inner width 101 d. In the exemplary embodiment of device100, inner width 101 d is positioned perpendicular to second length 101c and parallel to widths 101 a.

Similarly, the male left hand side device 102 may also comprise fivesides, which further comprise a first width 102 a-1, a second width 102a-2, a first length 102 b, a second length 102 c, and an inner width 102d. Inner width 102 d may also be positioned perpendicular to secondlength 102 c and parallel to first and second widths 102 a-1 and 102a-2. Width 102 a-2 may be shorter than 102 a-1 as to allow male lefthand side sleeve 102 telescope within female left hand side sleeve 101.

FIG. 4 depicts cross-sectional views of the female and male right handside sleeves 201 and 202. Similar to sleeves 101 and 102, sleeves 201and 202 are also rectangular-like in shape and form. Female right handsleeve 201 may comprise five sides, which further comprise two widths201 a, a first length 201 b, a second length 201 c, and an inner width201 d. In the exemplary embodiment of device 200, inner width 201 d ispositioned perpendicular to second length 201 c and parallel to widths201 a.

The male left hand side device 202 may also comprise five sides, whichfurther comprise a first width 202 a-1, a second width 202 a-2, a firstlength 202 b, a second length 202 c, and an inner width 202 d. Innerwidth 202 d may also be positioned perpendicular to second length 202 cand parallel to first and second widths 202 a-1 and 202 a-2. Width 202a-2 may be shorter than 202 a-1 as to allow male left hand side sleeve202 to telescope within female left hand side sleeve 201.

In an exemplary embodiment, the female left and right side sleeves 101and 201 may contain the following measurements: widths 101 a and 201 amay be 2.25 inches; first lengths 101 b and 201 b may be 4 inches;second lengths 101 c and 201 c may be 2.0 inches; and inner widths 101 dand 201 d may be 1.0 inches. Male left and right side sleeves 102 and201 may contain the following measurements: widths 102 a-1 and 202 a-1may be 2.1 inches; widths 102 a-2 and 202 a-2 may be 1.95 inches; firstlengths 102 b and 202 b may be 3.7 inches; second lengths 102 c and 202c may be 1.7 inches; and inner widths 102 d and 202 d may be 0.85inches. Varying smaller and larger dimensions and measurements may beutilized in connection with sleeves 101, 201, 102, and 202 withoutdeviating in scope from the present embodiment.

Each sleeve 101, 102, 201, and 202 may have a plurality of corners/bends150, such as four corners 150, with corners 150 connecting the firstwidth to the first length, the first length to the second width, thesecond width to the second length, and the second length to the innerwidth. Each corner 150 is curved in shape, and may have an outer radiusof ¼ inch, with each corner 150 having ten thousandths of an inch inprecision when telescoping along its mate sleeve. Such precision allowsfor an enhanced and superior level of precision in the sleeves'telescoping properties, and allows the sleeves to hold tightertolerances, such as +/−0.003 inches, for installation purposes.

Inner widths 101 d, 102 d, 201 d, and 202 d allow for additional layersof structural soundness, stability, precision, and strength for thetelescoping and support properties of devices 100 and 200 duringinstallation/use. In an exemplary embodiment, sleeves 101-102 and201-202 may be manufactured to be approximately six feet in length andmay be manufactured/pre-fabricated with CNC machinery. Such measurementallows for easier shipping and packing methods and means withoutlimiting or diminishing the qualities, features, and support of theexemplary embodiment. Additionally, sleeves 101 and 102 as well assleeves 201 and 202 may be telescopically adjusted along each other,respectively, with an insert length that can vary according to theparticular structural support needed for an application.

As explained earlier, telescoping structural support devices 100 and 200may be used in a wide range of various types of settings andenvironments where structural support is needed or desired. FIG. 5Adepicts devices 100 and 200 installed vertically along a long curvedwall structure. Devices 100 and 200 may be used to provide suchstructural support on a large scale, such as for a big-screen,wave-shaped television (not shown). Devices 100 and 200 may be placedvertically and parallel to one another along the length of the wallstructure with a 1-2 foot distance in between each device 100 and/or200. Sleeves 101 and 102 and/or sleeves 201 and 202, as the case may be,may be telescoped and adjusted vertically to the desired installationheight. Once the desired height of sleeves 101 and 102 and/or sleeves201 and 202 is obtained, the respective sleeves can be bolted together(See FIGS. 6 and 7 for further details). As an example, a bolt or othersecuring mechanism may be inserted through the first side length ofeither the male/female sleeve and through to the second length. Otherarrangements for bolting and securement may be utilized depending oninstallation needs. The male or female sleeve positioned at the bottomof the set-up, namely, at the floor level can be welded to a steel baseand can be further secured with a jack bolt, such as a 24 thread perinch jack bolt. The jack bolt can be inserted into the flooring, ground,or other support platform/material until level, including along with theother devices 100 and 200 in the arrangement.

A leveling device can be used, such as the one shown in FIG. 5A, can beused to ascertain the accuracy of the vertical and horizontalpositioning of devices 100 and 200 along the wall. The same positioning,set-up and securement may be utilized in connection with devices 100 and200 shown in FIG. 5B. As will be discussed in further detail withrespect to FIGS. 6 and 7, FIG. 5B also depicts the various shapes ofholes that may be pre-formed in devices 100 and 200 during manufacturefor purposes of securing sleeves 101/102 and sleeves 201/202 to eachother as well as for securement of the particular device, structure, orother mechanisms for which devices 100 and 200 are being utilized toprovide support.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depicts perspective side views of a female right handsleeve 201 coupled to a base plate piece 300 (the same may beimplemented with respect to female left hand sleeve 101, or even maleright and left hand sleeves 102 and 202). As mentioned earlier, femalesleeves 101 and 201 may be welded to a base plate piece 300, such as asteel base plate. Base plate piece 300 may be pre-fabricated ormanufactured so that it is outfitted to mate with a bottom piece ofsleeve 101 or 201 (See FIG. 7D for further detail of bottom piece)before any welding, or similar process occurs.

Also shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, are a number of pre-fabricated holes 400of varying shapes positioned along widths 201 a, first length 201 b, andsecond length 201 c. Holes 400 may be utilized to bolt sleeve 102 tosleeve 101 during installation and set-up. The varying shapes andlengths of holes 400, such as rectangles, circles, squares, and oblongrectangles, allow for flexibility in where a user decides to implement abolting or securing mechanism, such as a Grade A bolt, depending on howthe sleeves 101/102 and/or 201/202 are adjusted, positioned, and securedduring installation.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D depicts various views of sleeves 201, 101, and100, respectively, which also show the various pre-fabricatedarrangements of holes 400. In particular, FIG. 7C shows device 100 andhow the holes on sleeve 101 and 102 can telescope along each other andbe adjusted as needed before securement of device 100. FIG. 7D depictsdevice 100 where sleeve 101 is positioned above a base area 103 (basearea 203 with respect to device 200) of sleeve 102. Such base area 103may further comprise one or more prongs 104, which may be rectangular inshape, and which may extend out from widths 102 a-1, 102 a-2, firstlength 102 b, and second length 102 c. Prongs 104 may be pre-fabricatedto mate with base plate piece 300 in addition to welding base area103/prongs 104 to base plate piece 300.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustration of the exemplary embodiment of thetelescoping structural devices 100/200 installed along a straight wallstructure. As shown, each of devices 100 and 200 are connected to a baseplate piece 300, including through use of a bolt, such as a jack boltwith 24 threads per inch. Devices 100 and 200 may also be outfitted withone or more horizontal support bars 400 to create a structural frame, asneeded or desired in a particular application. In FIG. 8, a plurality ofhorizontal support bars 400 are utilized in incremental heights alongthe height of devices 100 and 200. Horizontal support bars 400 may beoutfitted and/or secured with one or more vertical support bars 401 toallow for an additional layer of stability to the overall structuralframe. Vertical support bars 401 may be connected to horizontal supportbars 400 by a securing mechanism such as a bolt, drill, or othercomparable mechanism. Furthermore, horizontal support bars 400 may alsobe used to provide an ancillary support platform for wiring and othersuch materials around devices 100 and 200.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C depict front, side, and perspective view of theexemplary embodiment of the telescoping structural device installed as arooftop support mount. In this application, devices 100 and/or 200 maybe installed so that each of its opposite ends are connected to a baseplate piece 300, one plate 300 which is connected to a floor platform1000 and another plate 300 which is connected to a ceiling and/or upperfloor platform 2000.

In this application, male sleeve 102/202 may be connected to the baseplate piece 300 which is attached to the ceiling/upper floor platform2000, and female sleeve 101/201 may be connected to the base plate piece300 which is attached to the floor platform 1000. The male sleeves102/202 and female sleeves 101/201 allow for offsetting an earthquakeforce, or other disruptive force, applied to the structure at hand bytelescoping in movement during such force. Such telescoping movement ofsleeves 102/202 and sleeves 101/201 allows for flexibility in thesurrounding structure during a disruptive force, and such sleeves102/202 and 101/201 may be fastened to each other with a flexiblemechanism, such as a spring device, to allow telescoping along a certainmaximum length of sleeves 102/202 and sleeves 101/201, rather than arigid mechanism, such as a bolt.

Various aspects of the present invention are described herein accordingto embodiments of the invention. While particular forms of the inventionhave been described, it will also be apparent to those skilled in theart that various modifications can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended thatthe invention be limited except by the claims.

1. A method for manufacturing a universal telescoping structural supportdevice with a right side configuration, comprising the steps of: forminga right female telescoping sleeve that is substantially G-shaped furthercomprising five sides; forming a right male telescoping sleeve that issubstantially G-shaped further comprising five sides; wherein the malesleeve is formed to telescope in movement within and along a length ofthe female sleeve and wherein the female sleeve is formed to telescopein movement around and along a length of the male sleeve; wherein thefive sides of the G-shaped right female sleeve further comprise a firstand second side width of equal measurements, a first side length, asecond side length, and an inner side width that is parallel to the twowidths, all of said lengths and widths of the right female sleeve arecoupled to each other via four rounded corners; and wherein the fivesides of the G-shaped right male sleeve further comprise a first sidewidth, a second side width, a first side length, a second side length,and an inner side width that is parallel to the two side widths, all ofsaid lengths and widths of the right male sleeve are coupled to eachother via four rounded corners.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of forming each rounded corner of the right femalesleeve to have an outer radius of ¼ inch.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising the steps of forming each rounded corner of the rightmale sleeve to have an outer radius of ¼ inch.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising the steps of forming the second side length of thefemale sleeve to be half the length of the first side length.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the steps of forming the secondside length of the male sleeve to be shorter in length than the secondside length of the female sleeve.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of forming the male and female sleeves to eachmeasure six feet in length.
 7. A method for manufacturing a universaltelescoping structural support device with a left side configuration,comprising the steps of: forming a left female telescoping sleeve thatis substantially G-shaped further comprising five sides; forming a leftmale telescoping sleeve that is substantially G-shaped furthercomprising five sides; wherein the male sleeve is formed to telescope inmovement within and along a length of the female sleeve and wherein thefemale sleeve is formed to telescope in movement around and along alength of the male sleeve; wherein the five sides of the G-shaped leftfemale sleeve further comprise a first and second side width of equalmeasurements, a first side length, a second side length, and an innerside width that is parallel to the two side widths, all of said lengthsand widths of the left female sleeve are coupled to each other via fourrounded corners; and wherein the five sides of the G-shaped left malesleeve further comprise a first side width, a second side width, a firstside length, a second side length, and an inner side width that isparallel to the two side widths, all of said lengths and widths of theleft male sleeve are coupled to each other via four rounded corners. 8.The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of forming eachrounded corner of the left female sleeve to have an outer radius of ¼inch.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of formingeach rounded corner of the left male sleeve to have an outer radius of ¼inch.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of formingthe second side length of the female sleeve to be half the length of thefirst side length.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising thesteps of forming the second side length of the male sleeve to be shorterin length than the second side length of the female sleeve.
 12. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising the steps of forming the male andfemale sleeves to each measure six feet in length.
 13. A method forinstallation of a universal telescoping structural support devicesystem, comprising the steps of: arranging a configuration upon astructure a plurality of female telescopic sleeves that eachtelescopically couple to a male telescopic sleeve, wherein eachtelescopic sleeve is substantially G-shaped further comprising fivesides; wherein the five sides of the G-shaped female sleeve furthercomprises a first and second side width of equal measurements, a firstside length, a second side length, and an inner side width that isparallel to the two widths, all of said lengths and widths of the femalesleeve are coupled to each other via four rounded corners; and whereinthe five sides of the G-shaped male sleeve further comprises a firstside width, a second side width, a first side length, a second sidelength, and an inner side width that is parallel to the two side widths,all of said lengths and widths of the male sleeve are coupled to eachother via four rounded corners; installing a plurality of base platepieces upon a surface of the structure, wherein each base plate piece isarranged complementarily to each arrangement of the female and maletelescopic sleeves and further wherein the base plate pieces are eachconfigured to couple to one of the male telescopic sleeves; fasteningeach of the plurality of base plate pieces to each of the plurality ofmale telescopic sleeves via an adjustable bolt mechanism; andtelescoping the female and male telescopic sleeves to a length accordingto the configuration for the structure.
 14. The method of claim 13,further comprising the steps of securing the male and female telescopicsleeves to each other via a bolt mechanism inserted through one of aplurality of holes along a length of each the male and female sleeves.